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A healthy, balanced diet is important for brain development and function. While getting the right nutrients is important for your brain at any age, it is critical for infants and children who are still forming their brain and nervous system. The website NHS Choices notes that it has not yet been determined if diet affects intelligence, but memory and other brain functions are affected by diet. A daily diet that contains excess unhealthy fats and sugars can impair brain development and function.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that your body requires from the food you eat. These fats are found in seafood such as salmon, halibut, tuna and algae, as well as some plant oils and seeds. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain; this indicates that they are important for healthy cognitive and memory function as well as behavior. These fats are also essential for brain development, growth and function. It is important for pregnant women to get sufficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids through the diet for healthy nerve and vision development in the baby.

Iodine

Research published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" notes that while brain development is resistant to a lack of protein in the diet, getting sufficient iodine is critical for normal brain formation. A deficiency of this nutrient can lead to irreversible brain impairment causing serious conditions such as cerebral palsy, deaf-mutism, thyroid gland disorders and growth failure. Iodine is primarily found in seafood and is also included in prenatal vitamins.

Unhealthy Fats

The typical Western diet is indulgent in unhealthy fats that can lead to inflammation in the brain and seriously affect heart and blood vessel health. This is particularly harmful to infants and children with still-developing brain and nervous systems and can also harm brain function in teenagers and adults. These fats include polyunsaturated fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils. Processed and packaged foods such as microwave popcorn, boxed cakes and cookies, chips, french fries and TV dinners contain high amounts of these unhealthy fats.

Insulin Resistance

Eating excess sugar in your diet can lead to insulin resistance. This means that your body is not able to efficiently use the hormone insulin to transport sugar or glucose from the blood to the tissues where it can be converted into energy. Insulin resistance can lead to damaged brain cells. This occurs because the brain requires high amounts of glucose to function and becomes deprived of nutrients if your body cannot utilize insulin properly.

Eating more complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes and fruit rather than sugary or starchy processed foods can help balance blood sugar levels for healthier brain development and function.

About the Author

Nadia Haris is a registered radiation therapist who has been writing about nutrition for more than six years. She is completing her Master of Science in nutrition with a focus on the dietary needs of oncology patients.